Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging critical minerals to drive green industrialisation, with a focus on value addition, local participation, and sustainable mining practices. The government says minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel will play a central role in the country’s economic transformation.
Speaking at a regional forum in Addis Ababa, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Msafiri Mbibo, said Tanzania is positioning itself to maximise benefits from minerals essential for clean energy technologies. He noted that mining remains a key pillar for job creation, skills development, and community growth.
Mr Mbibo emphasised that the government is strengthening local content policies and promoting beneficiation to ensure more value is retained within the country. He said the goal is to build a complete mineral value chain, from extraction to processing and manufacturing.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges, including illegal mining, environmental risks and limited community engagement. He called for stronger collaboration between governments, private sector players and development partners to ensure responsible and sustainable mining practices.
Tanzania is also expanding regional and international partnerships while adopting new technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Authorities say these efforts are key to aligning mining with global sustainability goals.
Meanwhile, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn urged African nations to prioritise domestic processing and manufacturing. He warned that without industrialisation, the continent risks missing out on the full benefits of the global energy transition despite its vast mineral wealth.